In late October 2016, a group of 44 Loreto College students, led by Mr L Shaw and accompanied by teachers Ms C Marron, Mrs M McCullough, Mrs M McGreevy and Ms J Wilson, left Coleraine for an exciting excursion to the USA. The trip, organised by the Geography Department, had taken 18 months to plan and both students and staff were very excited to be embarking on such a wonderful adventure.
Their journey took the Loreto group from Coleraine, via Dublin, to three major American cities, Philadelphia, Washington and New York, where they spent six packed days exploring and learning about the geographical, historical and cultural significance of all three cities and visiting the main tourist destinations. Highlights included visits to the White House, Lincoln Memorial and Arlington Cemetery in Washington, as well as the Liberty Bell, Freedom Hall and Rocky Steps in Philadelphia. In New York, among many experiences, the group ranked visiting the Ground Zero 9/11 memorial as deeply moving, visiting the Empire State Building by night as unforgettable, and the cruise of the Hudson River to see the Statue of Liberty as amazing. Other highlights included a tour of the NBC Studios at Rockefeller Plaza, which included a chance to make a short TV chat show, a visit to Grand Central Station, a tour of the Federal Reserve and some quiet reflection in St Patrick’s Cathedral. The last night was spent in Times Square and included a meal in the Hard Rock Café, and of course there was time for some shopping for essential souvenirs and gifts.
This was unquestionably the trip of a lifetime for all the staff and students who were lucky enough to take part. Mr Michael James, Principal of Loreto College, congratulated the members of staff who organised the trip and accompanied the students on providing such an unforgettable experience.
